Actor Dolph Lundgren, known for his roles in “Rocky IV” and “Creed II,” has found love again in the midst of fighting cancer. His fiancé, is Norwegian personal trainer Emma Krokdal.
While describing their age gap as "severe," Lundgren says Krokdal is "an angel that was sent down to help me. I feel like Emma is very mature for her age, for sure. She’s had an interesting life. She came over here from a small town in Norway,” he told People magazine. “She was married here and she went through a difficult divorce and went through a lot of stuff that most young people her age don’t have to deal with.”
Read MoreGenetic Testing For Mutations Create A New Treatment Option
Lundgren’s treatment is a result of the discovery of a genetic mutation in one of his tumors. This mutation, (we don’t exactly which genetic alteration, but Lundgren says it is commonly found in lung cancer) and it apparently opened up new possibilities for targeted therapies, which have dramatically increased survival rates for some people with lung cancer who have mutations for which drugs have been specifically developed.
Lundgren says his response to the medication has been remarkable, with his tumors shrinking significantly. As of now, the cancer has reduced by 90%, and Lundgren is undergoing the removal of scar tissue from the tumors.
What's targeted or Immuno-therapy?
Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that works by identifying specific markers on tumor cells. These markers allow doctors to target specific cancers with drugs or other treatments designed to attack them. By doing so, they can reduce side effects while increasing efficacy and improving survival rates. If you're receiving targeted therapy for your lung cancer, this means that your doctor has found targets on the surface of cancer cells or in your tumor.
Generally, targeted and immunotherapies can include one of the following forms:
- Small molecules: These can enter cells effortlessly, so they are utilized for intracellular targeting.
- Monoclonal antibodies: These are proteins synthesized in the lab with varying techniques. Some are made to mark cancer cells to be recognized by the immune system and destroyed, others can stop cancer cells from growing or cause them to self-destruct, and then some are loaded with toxic drugs to directly project them into cancer cells. This last form is called an antibody drug conjugate and there have been many new exciting advancements with this type f therapy.
Putting Out Good Vibes & Lundgren’s Sense of Karma
"I've always tried to be nice to everybody and meet fans, anybody, and it maybe came back to me somehow now when I needed it the most," he told The LA Times. "I think when you put love out there, you get it back."
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